Management Scienceat University of California-San Diego
Graduates earn $60,973/yr in their first year — about 3.0% below the national Management Science average. Base-case 10-year earnings $778K; scenarios range from $657K to $800K depending on AI disruption.
What this degree looks like at UC San Diego
At $60,973/yr, Management Science graduates from University of California-San Diego land near the $62,729 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.
Every dollar of in-state tuition returns an estimated 12.7x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Management Science programs nationally.
Some AI exposure exists in Management Science's typical career paths, with 55% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 18% gap from the optimistic case.
The median debt load of $15,127 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios we track.
At #35 of 118 Management Science programs, University of California-San Diego scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.
Earnings grow from $60,973 to $86,000 over five years — a 41% increase that's moderate and in line with typical career progression.
Three scenarios, ten years out
Each scenario is a different assumption about how AI reshapes the career paths this major feeds into. Earnings projections stack the full 10-year cumulative trajectory; scores use the same 0–100 metric as the hero, recomputed under that scenario's assumptions.
10 year projection
Year-by-year earnings under each scenario. Base case reflects BLS growth patterns applied to UC San Diego's starting earnings; optimistic and pessimistic adjust for AI's effect on each career path this major feeds into.
Common career destinations for this program's graduates, weighted by the school's specific occupation mix. Salary is BLS national median; AI risk is per-role task-exposure research.
Peer schools offering Management Science
How UC San Diego stacks up against other schools offering this major.
Other top programs at UC San Diego
Other highest-scoring programs offered at UC San Diego, ranked by DegreeOutlook Score.
Consider the trade route
Not sure a 4-year degree is the right path? Trade programs in Management Science offer shorter timelines, lower debt, and strong AI resilience for hands-on careers.
Compare Management Science trade programs on TradeSchoolOutlook →Frequently asked about Management Science at UC San Diego
What is the DegreeOutlook Score for Management Science at University of California-San Diego?
This program scores 80/100 — placing it among the stronger programs for Management Science nationally. The score reflects above-average earnings, manageable AI risk, and solid financial return.
Will AI replace Management Science careers?
With 55% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $656,663 in decade earnings vs $799,525 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.